The research lounge

Maria is a PhD student at the National Horizons Centre, Teesside University. Her PhD project involves investigating the roles of mitochondria in Parkinson’s disease, using fruit flies as a model system. The project combines a mix of genetics with molecular biology. She hopes that this research will improve knowledge around the mechanisms that cause Parkinson’s disease, and pave the way for future therapeutics.

Unsurprisingly, this research has increased Maria’s interest in the power mitochondria have in the body and as a result, she is particularly interested in the role of mitochondria in health and disease, and hopes to continue researching this.

Prior to starting her PhD, Maria completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science with a diploma in professional practice, as a result of a placement year in an NHS Histology laboratory. Following this, she went on to complete a Master of Research degree in Medical and Molecular Biosciences, completing a project in the replication of mitochondria during early embryo development.

Outside of her PhD, Maria exercises her passion for science communication not only via her Instagram account (@ABioBlog) but also by writing for her blog (https://abioblog.wordpress.com). She is keen to improve science outreach in areas in the UK that experience deprivation and higher levels of unemployment, with the hope that this enhances access to STEM careers for women.

Outside of science, Maria enjoys exploring the Northern countryside with her cockapoo, Monty.

Dr. Nicholas Norwitz holds a PhD from Oxford University in ketogenic and brain metabolism, works as a metabolic health practitioner, conducts clinical research, writes papers, lectures on the international stage, and is now pursuing his MD at Harvard Medical School. In addition to Nick's, academic credentials he has a history of struggling with and overcoming life-threatening metabolic diseases.

https://youtu.be/y2louDfTFt0 - Story 

https://newmediketo.com - His website 

 https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/4/1362/htm - His most recent paper 

Dami is a clinician-scientist with an interest in virology. She is currently doing a Ph.D. at UCL and is a visiting clinal research fellow at the University of Cambridge.  She has a background in epidemiology and has worked at Africa Health Research Institute where she worked on HIV central nervous system escape and HIV resistance. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has worked on SARS-COV-2, exploring the impact of viral evolution and the variants of concern on patient outcomes and vaccine response.

Diana is a PhD student at the University of Surrey and is based at the Animal and Plant Health Agency working on characterizing equine immune cells and determining their interactions with viruses.

Katrina is a Ph.D. student based at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. She's enrolled in a centre for doctoral training that combines medical research with business studies at the University of Edinburgh. She uses new microscopy techniques to study the pancreas and is interested in treating type one diabetes with cell replacement therapy.  

Liam is an SENr-registered Sport and Exercise Nutritionist (Graduate), having completed his undergraduate degree in BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University and MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University. He has now relocated and enrolled in a PhD in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). His experience in sport science and nutrition began with British Diving in Sheffield during his undergraduate degree. Next, alongside postgraduate study at Leeds Beckett University, Liam volunteered in the Applied Practice Programme. This led to experience working as a performance nutritionist with a para-powerlifter, regional rugby players, female sports teams and Team GB Racewalking. Before moving abroad, Liam worked in the NHS as a Dietetic Assistant with the Type 2 Diabetes team in Leeds. Personally, he had the privilege of attending trials for Team GB Para-Triathlon and Cycling, and England Football as a teenager. He is now an endurance enthusiast and a classified T38 (cerebral palsy) Para-Athletics athlete. Liam is more than happy for you to contact him via the details below if you wish! Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiamOliverNutri

Hey everyone today on the podcast I had Shehroz with me. Shehroz is a PhD student at Aberdeen University looking broadly at novel gene targets for treatments of obesity-related diseases more specifically focusing on a target involved in fatty liver disease. We spoke about using animal models in research, research around obesity, and general life as a PhD student. Enjoy the episode.

Brad is a 1st year Neuroscience PhD student at The University of Southampton. He's studying the mechanisms of aging (with a focus on the Cytoskeleton) in a healthy system using Drosophila as a model. This is leading on from an Integrated Masters degree in Neuroscience where he researched methods of Tau spread in-vivo. We spoke about all things neuroscience and aging, enjoy.

Craig is a third year PhD student at the University of Gloucestershire. His research utilises non-invasive assessments of cardiovascular function to investigate the acute detrimental effects of sedentary behaviours, particularly prolonged sitting. Keep up to date with all of Craig’s latest research on ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Craig_Paterson3).